dame," said I, coming to the rescue, "who is
but too happy to find himself remembered by the Marchesa de la Norada."

"Very true, Comte; I was confounding you with your constant companion,
the Duke de la Breanza; I hope he is well, and the dear duchess. And
you,--when did you arrive from the Brazils? I trust very lately, or you
have treated me shamefully."

Rapidly as these words were uttered, they were enough to give me the
"consigne" of what rank my intimate friends held, in what class we met,
and from whence I came. While I replied to her questions, she motioned
me to a seat beside her, and, with a smile and a courteous apology
to the prince for devoting herself to the old friend who had so
unexpectedly presented himself, she dropped her voice to a whisper and
said, "Not now, nor here, but to-morrow we will speak together."

"Enough," said I, rapidly; "I am your old and esteemed friend the Comte
de Creganne; you are not compromised in calling me so."

"Nor can your memory fail to recall me as a Lady of Honor at the
Brazilian court!"

And now some of the company had gathered around us, to most of whom she
presented me, always adding some few courteous expressions, indicative
of our ancient friendship, and of the pleasure she felt at our
unexpected meeting. If I have occasionally given way to those erratic
flights of fancy which led me to believe myself a scion of a noble
house, well born and nurtured, with wealth at my command and a high
station in store, all these delusions were nothing to the creative
efforts of _her_ imagination, who commenced by reminding me of a hundred
people who never existed, and places and incidents which were all as
unreal. How we did bewail the death of some, rejoice over the good
fortune of other "dear, dear friends" who had never breathed! and with
what pleasant laughter we remembered eccentricities and oddities that
once used to amuse us so much!

[Introduction: 587-238]

Never can I forget the look of astonishment of the young attache as he
came up and found me seated on the ottoman beside the Marchesa, with
her pet spaniel upon my lap, while my whole air was redolent of that
triumphant expression so unmistakably denoting security.

"I perceive," said he, with difficulty repressing his ill-humor, "that
Madame la Marchesa is acquainted with the Comte de Creganne."

"For many years, sir, the Comte and I have known each other, and I have
only to own my surprise that none of my fr